INTELLIGENT INDIA

As the opening notes of Criminal Justice: A Family Matter hit the screen on JioHotstar on May 29, 2025, I settled in, ready for another round with Advocate Madhav Mishra, the unassuming lawyer who’s become a household name. Pankaj Tripathi’s portrayal of this small-town legal eagle has been the beating heart of Criminal Justice since its debut in 2019, and Season 4, subtitled A Family Matter, proves why he’s the glue holding this franchise together. Directed by Rohan Sippy and produced by Applause Entertainment in association with BBC Studios, this eight-episode legal thriller delivers a potent mix of suspense, moral dilemmas, and Tripathi’s signature charm—though it doesn’t always escape the weight of its own ambitions. A Complex Case with High Stakes Season 4 thrusts Madhav Mishra into his most intricate case yet: a high-profile murder mystery involving Dr. Raj Nagpal (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub), a Mumbai-based doctor accused of killing his girlfriend, Roshni Saluja (Asha Negi). The tra...

Are Political Connections Shielding Accused Actors in Malayalam Cinema's Sexual Harassment Cases?

South Indian Films specially Malayalam movies got hype after covid times on OTT platform. We call it Mollywood and we have seen its highs—award-winning films and a passionate global fanbase—and its lows, especially the systemic issues harming its women. The Justice Hema Committee report, released in August 2024, sparked a #MeToo wave, exposing a grim reality of sexual harassment, exploitation, and power imbalances. Female actors have bravely shared their stories, naming prominent figures, while political ties seem to protect some accused, like Shine Tom Chacko. Here’s a human look at the reported cases and the political dynamics at play, based on what’s known as of April 18, 2025. The Justice Hema Committee: A Wake-Up Call In 2017, the abduction and assault of actress Bhavana Menon shocked Kerala, leading to the formation of the Justice Hema Committee, led by retired Justice K. Hema, actress Sharada, and retired IAS officer KB Valsala Kumari. Their 290-page report, submitted in 2019 b...

‘Thudarum’ Movie Review: Mohanlal’s Emotional Triumph in a Heartfelt, Flawed Gem

As the lights dimmed and the opening frames of Thudarum flickered across the screen, I felt a familiar rush of anticipation. It’s been a while since I walked into a Mohanlal film without the weight of expectations tempered by recent disappointments. Directed by Tharun Moorthy, known for grounded hits like Operation Java and Saudi Vellakka, Thudarum promised a return to the Mohanlal we’ve longed for—the actor, not the superstar. And, oh, does it deliver, even if it stumbles along the way. Released on April 25, 2025, this Malayalam crime thriller, co-starring Shobana, is a raw, emotional ride that rekindles faith in Mohanlal’s unparalleled ability to carry a film with quiet gravitas. Set in the serene hill town of Ranni, Pathanamthitta, Thudarum introduces us to Shanmugham, affectionately called “Benz” (Mohanlal), a former stuntman turned taxi driver who cherishes his vintage black Ambassador car as if it were family. The film opens with a warm, lived-in portrayal of Benz’s life—his play...